Residents and business people, councillors, former councillors, Council staff past and present, and local partners have been sharing their memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Whether they have met her personally or have tales of preparing for Royal Visits, you can read their comments below.
If you have similar memories you’d like to share, please get in touch with our Communications team.
Detective Sergeant Abid Saleh, Lancashire Police
It was a wonderful experience for me and my family, when I met Her Majesty the Queen in 2018.
It was a very special experience, mainly because of how the queen made me and my family feel in her home.
What stood out for me was how humble, personable and softly spoken Her Majesty was.
She put me at ease immediately and showed a genuine interest in the reasons I was receiving a MBE for.
There were around 25 people receiving varying awards and she spoke at length with each one of us.
Her Majesty told me about the occasion she had visited Blackburn and described it as a ‘wonderful town’. She spoke so graciously and with a such a warm tone.
Truly a great individual who I am proud to have served.
Sarah Quinn Leisure Services Development Manager BWDC
As a volunteer during the Queen’s Maundy Thursday visit in 2014 I was lucky enough to support those who had been invited to receive the Maundy Money as they made their way through the grounds and into the Cathedral. It was wonderful to see how excited they were at the opportunity to meet Her Majesty. The whole morning was magical and was topped off by being allowed to watch the Queen and Prince Phillip arrive from the window of the Cathedral offices. We were just above all of the waiting press and had the best view. It was an honour to be a part of and a day I will never forget.
Mrs CY Gammon, Headteacher Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
"We are very proud of the long association that Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School has had with the Royal Family. In particular, we hold the day that she visited, 12th November 1987, with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, as one of the proudest days in our history. We treasure the gifts that she gave us and the time that she spent with us alongside all the communications we have had either directly with her or through her household throughout her reign. May she rest in eternal peace."
Mariyam Emam Employability Support Worker, BWDC
I would like to share my beautiful memory of the day HM the Queen visited Blackburn for Maundy Thursday in 2014. I was involved in the planning as well as supporting and being on the ground on the day of the visit and it truly was a great day working with some amazing colleagues.
Saima Afzal MBE, former councillor and local resident
"When I received a letter through the post in 2010 to tell me about my Honour, I honestly thought it was a prank! The letter was signed 'your obidient servant' and I remember thinking, how is the Queen my servant?! I was so convinced that it was a joke, particularly as the letter also said that I was sworn to secrecy, that I almost didn't reply in time to accept the Honour.
"Thank goodness I did, as the day of my investiture was a very proud day which I shared with my mum, my son and my brother. I received my award from then-Prince Charles who showed genuine interest in the work I do around forced marriage."